Intro: Dribbling and tossing with the racquet, backhand and forehand. Players work alone, but everyone is on the same 1/2 court. Dribble tennis balls straight down 20x, the keep ball in the air 20x. 3 minutes standing still. 3-5 minutes moving around the 1/2 court. Start with forehand, continue with backhand. Increase height of the tossing and the force of the dribbling.
Lesson: Break up into pairs. Work on volleying technique. On balls of the feet, racquet at center of body, racquet head high, slight backhand grip. Stroke is a very short "punch" stroke. Rotate shoulders slightly, punch the ball with the racquet head. Key to success is: stiff elbow and wrist, your head and the head of the racquet are at the same height when the ball is struck, short back-swing, short follow through.
Activity: coach hits ground strokes to players at net. Players work on form and technique.
Progression #1: players start at service line, coach plays them balls, players volley balls back and together take a few steps towards the net. Emphasis on body moving forward, continually attacking the net, looking to control net play, and positioning for a put away (angled shot deep the corners).
Progression #2: players start at baseline. Coach plays a shot ball and receiving player makes a deep approach shot and the two partners start coming to the net. Strategy: on shallow shot when both players are at the baseline, players see the shallow shot as an opportunity to make an approach, then do so with a deep return, and then they come to the net. Non-hitting player takes closer "attack" position at the net, looking for a put-away. Hitting player lags a little just inside the service line to cover in case of a lob. Players are never flat.
Play: singles players play points. One plays, one waits. Win and stay on. Doubles players play sets.
Close: Around the World (Ashton wins).
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